A Recipe for Success: Empowering Black Entrepreneurs in Charlottesville

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) celebrates the remarkable achievements of pandemic-era grant funding that has transformed the Charlottesville community! In 2022, the New Hill Development Corporation (NHDC) received a $150,000 Virginia Business District Resurgence Grant (VBDRG) from the DHCD Virginia Main Street program and a $189,000 GO Virginia grant to support … More A Recipe for Success: Empowering Black Entrepreneurs in Charlottesville

Virginia Main Street Kicks Off 40th Anniversary Year with Annual Directors Retreat and Celebration!

February 2025 was a milestone month for the Virginia Main Street (VMS) program! It kicked off with the annual Advancing Virginia Main Street (AVMS) Directors Retreat, held in Richmond and Ashland and co-hosted by the Downtown Ashland Association. This gathering brought together Main Street directors from across the state for three exciting days of learning … More Virginia Main Street Kicks Off 40th Anniversary Year with Annual Directors Retreat and Celebration!

A Fresh Look for Downtown Farmville

Façade improvements, even simple ones, have the power to not only preserve valuable historic resources but also to spur positive change throughout an entire community. In 2023, Farmville Downtown Partnership (FDP) received a $50,000 Virginia Main Street (VMS) Downtown Investment Grant (DIG) from the Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) to establish a façade … More A Fresh Look for Downtown Farmville

Phoebus: Cultivating a Destination as a Newly Designated Advancing Virginia Main Street Community

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) designated Phoebus, along with eight others, as an Advancing Virginia Main Street (AVMS) community. The City of Hampton’s Phoebus National Historic District is a walkable, neighborhood commercial district featuring a mix of architectural styles, busy annual festival and event schedule, restaurants foodies will enjoy, and a … More Phoebus: Cultivating a Destination as a Newly Designated Advancing Virginia Main Street Community

Buena Vista: Building Vibrancy as a Newly Designated Advancing Virginia Main Street Community

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has designated Buena Vista as an Advancing Virginia Main Street (AVMS) community, along with eight other communities! Buena Vista is a city of about 6,500 people nestled in the Shenandoah Valley. Founded in 1892, the city is known for its natural beauty, rich history, and a strong sense of … More Buena Vista: Building Vibrancy as a Newly Designated Advancing Virginia Main Street Community

Covington: Leading the Charge for Economic Renewal and Preservation as a Newly Designated AVMS Community

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has designated Covington as an Advancing Virginia Main Street (AVMS) community, along with eight other communities! The community defined by its industrial heritage, natural beauty, and strong sense of togetherness. Located in the Alleghany Highlands, the city was first settled in 1746 along the Jackson River, the main tributary … More Covington: Leading the Charge for Economic Renewal and Preservation as a Newly Designated AVMS Community

Colonial Beach: Riverside Revival as a Newly Designated Advancing Virginia Main Street Community

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has officially designated Colonial Beach as an Advancing Virginia Main Street (AVMS) community, joining eight other distinguished communities in the Commonwealth. This recognition celebrates Colonial Beach’s vibrant economy, rich history, and strong community partnerships, driven by the nonprofit Downtown Colonial Beach (DCB). Situated along the Potomac … More Colonial Beach: Riverside Revival as a Newly Designated Advancing Virginia Main Street Community

Petersburg: Virginia’s Historic City Earns Advancing Virginia Main Street Community Designation

Petersburg has recently been recognized as an Advancing Virginia Main Street (AVMS) community by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), marking a significant milestone in the city’s revitalization efforts. This designation follows the city’s participation in Virginia Main Street‘s (VMS) two-year Mobilizing Main Street (MMS) program, which began in January 2023. This … More Petersburg: Virginia’s Historic City Earns Advancing Virginia Main Street Community Designation

Galax: Local Main Street Movement Grows Through Advancing Virginia Main Street Community Designation

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has designated Galax as Advancing Virginia Main Street (AVMS), along with eight other communities! The City of Galax entered the two-year Mobilizing Main Street (MMS) accelerator program in January 2023. Through its participation, the Downtown Galax Association was refreshed and revamped to lead the downtown revitalization … More Galax: Local Main Street Movement Grows Through Advancing Virginia Main Street Community Designation

Martinsville: Advancing Virginia Main Street Community Designation Fuels Uptown Revitalization

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has designated Martinsville as an Advancing Virginia Main Street (AVMS) community, along with eight other communities! Established in 2020 as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, Uptown Partnership (UP) formed to revitalize Uptown Martinsville and foster community-driven economic growth. The local Main Street organization joined Virginia Main Street‘s (VMS) two-year Mobilizing … More Martinsville: Advancing Virginia Main Street Community Designation Fuels Uptown Revitalization